Elisha's POV

"Ah... fuck!"

Hinampas ko ang sarili ko gamit ang librong aking tinatapos dahil hindi ako makapag-focus ng maayos. I've been bothered since yesterday, ni hindi nga rin ako nakatulog ng maayos. Paano ko maeenjoy yung semester break namin? This is bullshit! I sighed before closing my book and placed it back at the shelf. I lie down in bed scrolling through my phone at nainis lang ako dahil pati pagaaliw sa sarili ko ay hindi ko na naeenjoy.

Tumayo ako galing sa kama at naglakad lakad, ang daming tumatakbo sa utak ko at hindi ko na alam kung ano ang una kong iisipin.

Ano ang laman ng sulat na iyon? Is it something that I don't know? O di kaya kagaya lang ng kagaguhang ginawa ni Bruce sa kanya? Mayroon bang ibang nakaka-alam tungkol dito? Should I go there? Should I fucking read the letter? I DON'T FUCKING KNOW!

Since I was not paying attention I accidentally stubbed a toe in my bed frame causing me to shout, "TANGINA!" I heard someone rushed upstairs and opened my door. It was my mom she helped me up and asked if I was okay.

"I'm fine Mom, I just stubbed my toe because I was distracted." I told her and she gave me a pat on the head. "You can open up to me anak, I know it's been very hard because Jayce had passed away. I'm here." She told me and I just smiled before thanking her.

I checked the time and it was 7:30 pm and I couldn't take it anymore. I need to feed my curiosity. I got a trench coat and also wore a beany before getting my cars keys and drove off to our hide out. I slowed down when I saw a light from the alley. Someone is there! I parked my car and got outside to check who is there.

Namatay bigla ang ilaw nang palapit na ako sa lugar that's why I pulled out my phone and when I turned on the flashlight namura ko yung dalawang tao na nasa harapan ko, "Kinginang yan!" I saw Damon and Maddie na hawak na ang sulat. Nagkatitigan kaming tatlo at nagulat kami ng biglang may sumulpot pang dalawa sa likod ko.

"What the hell are you doing here Christopher?" Gwyneth whispered pero narinig naman namin yon. "I can ask the same question to you shit head." Christoph said in a monotone at dahil nakatingin sila sa isa't isa hindi nila napansin na naroon rin kaming tatlo. Natigilan sila nang makita kaming tatlong naka-estatuwa sa dulo.

Nalaglag ang panga nung dalawa at napunta ang tingin sa liham na hawak ni Maddie. "Oh you bitches going to read the letter huh?" Maddie told us at agad kaming umayos ng tayo bago pag-agawan yung sulat. We were about to kick each other's ass when we heard a roar of a motorcycle. It was Bruce, he removed and look at each other like he wasn't even surprised to see the five of us in the same place.

"Hold your questions, alam ko na itatanong niyo rin sa akin kung anong ginagawa ko dito pero ang sagot doon ay parehas na rason kung bakit kayo nandito ngayon." pangunguna ni Bruce sa amin at tama naman siya. We all are standing staring at each other. Agad naman silang nagsigawan arguing over the stupid letter at muntik muntikan pang mapunit ito so I shouted.

"TANGINA TIGILAN NIYO NA!"

That caught their attention at kinuha ang sulat, "We can't fight over this stupid letter na pwede naman nating basahin ng sabay sabay!" sambit ko at natameme na sila. We all calmly went inside the spot and turned on the airconditioner and sat in a circle sa black carpet namin that we bought a year ago.

I sighed before opening the letter.

---

Flashback

Jayce's POV

Another day, another hell day.

Iniisip ko na dapat hindi na lang ako mag aral eh, nakakatamad nang bumangon at makinig sa tanginang Prof. tas hindi naman magtuturo ng maayos. Our school is shit to be honest, the teachers doesn't care about anyone or no one. They only care about the salary that they'll get at the end of the month.

Kinuha ko ang gamit ko at nagsimula nang maglakad papuntang school. Mayroon kaming science project mamaya at excited ako. I love chemistry and finally we're going to use the science lab for the first time ever. Once lang kasi sila nagpapaganyan dahil delikado daw para sa mga bata.

We're not even kids anymore, every one of us can handle a little burn or scratch. Masyado lang protective yung school, hindi lang nila alam na sobrang dami na ang mga krimen at illegal activities na nangyayari sa loob ng campus nila.

They thought that their students are innocent but every person has a little secret to hide. I know the school's deepest darkest secrets, and know every undisclosed information of the people in the campus' vicinity.

Habang papasok na ako ng gate ay narinig kong may tumawag sa pangalan ko, nilingon ko ang direksyon kung saan iyon nanggaling at nakita ko si Isha na kumakaway habang palapit sa akin. Naglakad rin ako palapit sa kanya at niyakap siya.

Sabay naman na kaming naglakad papunta sa first subject namin but while walking I was lost while looking at her. Me and her were already classmates since 9th grade pero ngayong senior high school lang naging close dahil sa iba pa naming kaibigan.

Well let me tell you our friendship started because Christoph was fighting someone at the back of the school, he was drunk and so was the rest of us. 4 gang members were beating him up but Damon saw them kaya tinulungan siya doon hanggang sa makumpleto kaming pito. We ended up drinking the rest of the school night and got detention the next day.

Yeah, we don't regret anything though since we had a great time.

While looking at Isha I know that there's something going on with me, yes. I am in love with her for the past 2 years but I can't tell her because... "Hi babe," Xyler walked towards her. She has a boyfriend, and if I talked to her when we were in 9th grade I could've won her heart. It could have been me holding her hand and pulling her close.

But now she's my bestfriend and I am happy for her because she found her comfort. "Hi!" Isha kissed him on the cheeks. "Ano first subject mo?" tanong ni Isha sa kanya. "Biology, a boring subject to be honest." biglang nagring ang bell at nagtitigan pa ang dalawa.

"I'll see you at lunch? I love you!" Xyler shouted habang naglalakad palayo. Agad naman nagtinginan ang mga tao kay Isha, she was kinda a popular girl here in our campus. Bukod kasi na maganda siya at maaliwalas tingnan matalino rin siya at masipag. The standard is already her but was already in love.

I shrugged to forget those thoughts at pagpasok namin sa room ay wala pa rin naman ang teacher namin, see what I mean? Umupo si Elisha sa tabi ni Bruce at agad naman nito inakbayan ang kaibigan. Sa friendship namin walang kahit na anong malisya, we even kissed each other once when we got wasted and high as fuck one time.

"Ano G kayo cut tayo?" tanong ni Damon at agad naman kami nagtinginan. Wala namang Prof. tapos na rin naman ako sa lahat ng gagawin ko, so why not?

"Gago ka talaga Damon, walang ibang inatupag kung hindi mag-cut. Pag hindi inom ang aya, cutting naman. Buti na lang binabayaran ng tatay mo yung school para hindi ka ibagsak 'no?" sarkastikong sambit ni Gwen at ginulo lang nito ang buhok niya at sininghalan naman siya ni Gwen.

Naginat naman si Elisha bago ipikit ang mata, "Dapat demon na lang yung pangalan mo eh tutal demonyo ka naman." natawa kaming anim at umirap naman si Damon bago pitikin ang noo ni Isha.

"Dami niyo pang ganap pwede namang tara na at bumalik na lang tayo before lunch," sambit ni Maddie kaya napagdesisyonan namin na unti unting lumabas. Tumakbo kami sa fire exit hanggang sa makalabas na kami at nasa damuhan na.

Tumambay muna kami sa labas ng classroom namin kanina, we waited for them to greet the teacher good morning at nung attendance na ay sumigaw ito. "Nasaan na si Mr. Adler?" lumingon kami kay Bruce na busy na magcellphone.

"Naku! Bakit wala na naman yung pito niyong kaklase? 'Kay bata pa ay puro cutting ang inatupag!" that was our signal to leave at dumiretso sa tambayan namin. We chilled there and ate weird things bago mag-aya si Bruce.

"Tara, let's buy katana's!" sabi niya and we all agreed, we walked to a samurai store a few blocks away from the school at ang mahal niya! It was 2,700 per Katana! Nagtingin pa kami ng kung ano ano and took goofy photos before we decided to get 7 katana's. We made it custom made with our initials engraved on the handle.

The total was 14,625 pesos kasi may discount na 25%. Sino ba naman kasi bibili ng pitong katana na nakakapatay ng tao diba? We went back to our hangout place and we decided to try it out and let me say it was very cool. "Gago nasira yung painting!" sigaw ko at nagtawanan lang kami. "Pwede naman yan palitan bro, besides masaya kaya paglaruan 'tong ispada.

After that pumasok kami sa weapon room namin, yes. For a bunch of 16 and 17 year old assholes we do have a deadly room na kami lang ang nakaka-alam.

Kumain kami ng snacks and I saw na pinagttripan ni Bruce si Isha. Those eyes doesn't lie, Bruce. He was never really a good keeper of his feelings, marunong akong magbasa ng tao and I could tell that he also like Elisha. Hays Solace, why are you so pretty. You could make any guy fall head over heels for you.

Sinuntok naman ni Isha si Bruce at tumawa ito ng malakas, "For a girl that has looks that can kill you are a very week puncher." Bruce insulted at natawa ako kaya nilingon ako ni Isha. "Come on Jayce, ikaw nga suntukin mo si Bruce." sabi niya sa akin at tumayo ako bago lumapit sa kanila.

"Sure ka? Baka makatulog to pag sinuntok ko." I said in a casual voice and she just cheered me before I punched Bruce on the guts. Agad naman siyang napahiga sa sahig at tinawanan siya ng mga kaibigan namin.

"Talo ka pala ni Jayce, dre!" tawa ni Christoph.

Lumapit naman sa akin si Elisha at nagpaturo sumuntok, "Please. I promise I will use that skill for defensing purposes only!" she pouted so I had no choice but to teach her what she wants. I can't resist her face.

"Just close your fist and put all of your force in your shoulders as you swing hard to punch something or someone," I told her kaya ginawa niya ang sinabi ko at sinuntok si Bruce at ayon nahiga ulit si gago.

"HAHAHAHAHA PRE, payag ka non ginawa kang punching bag? Kung ako yan di ako papayag." Damon teased and he just spat on him before sitting properly.

I observed the area at nakita kong si Maddie na parang maraming iniisip kaya nilapiptan ko siya, "What's wrong?" I asked and she cried the moment I sat next to her. "My mother died a day ago, she drank... sleeping pills. Ayon natuluyan," sabi niya sa akin kaya niyakap ko siya at pinatahan.

"I'm here Mads, you have us. Kaya mo 'to." I smiled.

"Kakayanin ko, Jayce." she also gave me a weak smile.

After an hour ay bumalik na kami sa school at syempre inakyat namin ang bakod dahil naka-sara na ang gate. It was already lunch time kaya kumuha na kami ng pagkain at umupo sa nakahiwalay naming table.

May sarili kaming table dito na walang ibang umuupo pero nagulat kami nang may nakaupo doon na isang outcaster. The 7 of us gave her a death glare at mayroong isang babaeng lumapit sa kanya.

"Huy, wag ka dyan umupo! That's the seats of the campus' deadliest group, don't you know that?" she whisphered at nang makaalis na yung babae ay mapayapa na kaming kumain.

"I still don't get why we got that nickname," I told them and they chuckled. "Sino bang hindi matatakot sa atin? We're badass idiots but still gets praised by certain teachers? We also hold every single champion cup in almost everything. We're basically the royals in this school." Gwen told us and we all agreed before continued to eat.

Lumapit naman ang nililigawan ni Damon at bigla siiya nitong binatuhan ng pagkain sa mukha. "I saw you kissing another girl you dick!" she said before walking out of the cafeteria and by that it caught everyone's attention. Pinagpag ni Damon ang pagkaing nasa mukha niya bago tingnan ang lahat.

"Lay your eyes off of us!" he shouted and everyone obliged turning their heads the complete opposite direction.

But one stood and looked at us, "Why should we follow you?" umibabaw ang boses nito at nakita ko kung paano nagiba ang mukha ni Damon. Tila umapoy ang mata nito bago tumayo at dahan dahang nilingon ang lalaki. "What did you just say?" Damon asked in a monotone.

Oh shit, he has woken the demon.

Agad din naman akong kinabahan dahil alam kong things are going to get very messy when you piss him off.

"Bakit ka namin kailangan sundin, actually; bakit namin kayo kailangan sundin? Kayo ba ang may ari ng pinagaaralan namin?" the dude continued asking him and I saw how Damon's grin grew wider.

"This is gonna be interesting," bulong ni Bruce at inayos ang upuan para makita si Damon na unti unting lumalapit sa lalaki. "Yeah no shit bro." Christoph said and I sighed before chewing my food. "Gago made-detention na naman tayo nito eh!" I said and they just looked at me.

"Ayaw mo non, we can trash the detention room. Tas after non we'll get community service na tatakasan natin kaya ipapatawag na mga magulang natin?" sabi ni Maddie at tumawa kaming lahat. Yup, that scenario had already happened and we know that our parents won't be even surprised if it happens again.

"You have the balls to talk to me, what are you? Someone that can keep up with the Demon?" Damon asked the guy at nagtapang tapangan pa ito. You're going to regret this Mr. have the balls to talk to Damon.

"Yeah, shouldn't we all have the right to talk? It's in our human rights." Binalibag naman ni Damon ang upuan na nasa gilid niya, "Fuck your human rights, mamatay lang din naman tayo so who gives a damn about them?" Damon bursted and I saw the guy flinch. Second time na 'yon. One more...

Pinalipad ni Damon ang kamao niya pero bago ito lumapad sa mukha nung lalaki tumigil siya, "See. You're a pussy for flinching 3 times." dinilat nung lalaki ang mata niya tsaka siya sinuntok ni Damon at dumugo ang ilong at labi nito. Lumapit na siya ulit sa amin at pinalakpakan namin siya.

"You bitches don't have the right to talk to me unless you are them." turo ni Damon sa aming anim.

"Kay Isha kayo lumapit. Hindi siya nangangagat!" Sigaw ko at binatukan niya naman ako, wala sa mood si Isha ngayon dahil hindi siya pinuntahan ng boyfriend niya. Buti nga, nandito naman kasi ako bakit hindi na lang ako?

After lunch we wore our lab gowns and got ready for chemistry. It was a few minutes until the bell rang at napansin kong nagkulang na kami ng isa. Where the hell is Maddie? Nilibot ko ang panigin ko at nakita ko na pumasok siya sa janitor/storage room ng school.

Restricted yon sa students kaya bakit siya pumasok doon? I didn't bother following her malay mo it's where her and her secret boyfriend will meet up? Nagkibit balikat ako bago pumasok sa science lab and as usual kapartner ko si Bruce, kapartner ni Isha yung boyfriend niya, kapartner ni Maddie si Christoph at kapartner naman ni Gwen si Damon.

We usually top the science projects or chemistry experiments that's why we are just pretty chill habang aligaga yung mga kaklase namin.

Pumasok si Maddie na parang may tinatago sa bulsa ng kanyang lab coat. Dumating na rin ang Prof. namin and she made her few instructions at pagkatapos namin magprepare ay nagsimula na silang magpresent. After Elisha and Xyler acing the presentation it was Maddie and Christoph's turn.

Si Christoph ang magppresent while Maddie she only has to stand up there since she collected all the materials and did the research. Christoph was explaining something about the substance reacting to heat making it bubble and shit. It was actually very boring since this is something a kinder garden student can do. I sighed before playing with my pen.

Christoph placed the test tube under heat and it was going kinda well not until the glass exploded causing fire on the lab. We all panicked at lahat sila naglabasan na ng room at ako ang naiwan dahil kinuha ko pa yung gamit sa ilalim ng desk ni Maddie.

Naubo-ubo ako nang makalabas ng lab agad naman ako tinulungan ng prof. at dinala kami sa gym. It took a few minutes before the authorities came here and talked to our Prof. Tumango tango naman ito bago tumingin sa amin.

"Hi my name is detective Gavin Smith, call me Detective Smith. Based on our founding the investigators have seen in the scene, we found traces of Nitroglycerin that is also used for propane. It creates destruction when fire touches it. We are going to look at the CCTV camera to know if someone had broken in the storage room." he informed us at unti unti nang nabuo ang conclusion sa utak ko.

"Someone sabotage my presentation!" Christoph was pissed. Isa lang naman ang taong pwedeng gumawa niyan, walang iba kung hindi si... "Maddie, come sit with us." tawag ni Gwen kay Maddie. Agad naman itong lumapit. Yes, the girl who broke into the storage room.

But why would she do that? Why would she ruin her partner's work? There's no logic in that! After a few more minutes bumalik si Detective Smith at pinatawag si Maddie at Christopher. At since chismoso ako sumunod ako sa likod nila without them knowing.

"Seen on the CCTV video is Maddie going in and out the storage room before your class started. Pagkalabas niya ay may dala na siyang maliit na container na ang alam kong tinatawag nilang Nitroglycerin. It wasn't found on the scene though we are still looking for it." sabi ni Smith sa kanila agad naman yumuko si Maddie at nakita ko ang galit ni Christoph rito.

Kilala ko si Maddie, she wouldn't do such a thing kung walang dahilan kaya I sighed before continuing to listening, I saw that Maddie was close to crying when the Prof. mentioned that her mom would be called not knowing that she had passed away. So I finally stepped up.

"It's my fault," singit ko sa discussion nila. Agad naman sila nanahimik at nakita ko ang paglaki ng mata ni Maddie. Nagulat siguro dahil ginagawa ko ito. "How is it you, Mr. Morza?" The Prof. asked and I walked towards them.

"The Nitroglycerin is in my possession." Nilabas ko ang bote ng Nitroglycerin at nagulat silang lahat. "Inutusan ko si Maddie to get that, humingi siya ng tulong kasi sa akin sa research at ang sinabi ko ay Nitroglycerin ang pwedeng makatulong sa experiment not knowing if I was wrong or right. It was a mistake, I'm sorry." sabi ko at ibinigay ang bote ng Nitroglycerin kay detective Smith.

"Morza... I'm sorry to say this but you'll get detention for 3 weeks. And I have to tell your father about this." The Prof. told me at tumango na lang ako. I'm not scared, I can own up the mistake for her 'cause she's my friend.

"You also have to pay the damages sa lab and it could cost a lot."

I just told her that it was okay because dad has a fortune to spend. And I know he wouldn't care less kasi si mom lang naman ang may pake sa akin sa bahay.

After the incident nagkita kita kami sa usual spot namin dahil dinismiss ang section namin ng maaga due to that explosion. I said sorry to Christopher and he was okay with it. Kung kaibigan naman niya ang nakagawa and said na it was an accident kaya okay lang.

After a few minutes nakita kong lumabas si Maddie sa likod at sinundan ko maman siya. I saw her take out a cigarette stick at nung mapansin niya ako she also gave me one. We smoked until we finished a blunt until I decided to talk to her.

"Bakit mo 'yon ginawa?" I asked and she looked away refusing to answer. "I might ask the same thing. Why did you do such a thing for me?" she asked and I shrugged before sitting on the ground.

"I don't know, I guess you already have a lot going on with your personal life right now and I don't want something to add more sa'yo." I said and she started crying.

"The d-doctor of my mom... was Christph's dad. He was the one who gave her the sleeping pills kahit sinabi kong wag ituloy 'yon. Gusto na ni mommy magpahinga sa komplikadong mundo pero I told her na magagamot na siya. But the next thing I knew, she was already peacefully resting at the hospital bed." she told me and I gave her a tight warm hug.

"It's okay, everything will fall back to place Mads. Wait for it." I said before leaving her alone sa likod. Nagpaalam na ako sa kanila dahil tumatawag na si daddy at pinapauwi na 'ko. Nalaman niya na siguro ang nangyari kanina sa school.

Nang makarating ako sa tapat ng bahay ay huminga ako ng malalim bago pumasok, who knows what he's going to do?

I opened the door and the moment I stepped in I received a punch on the jaw. As expected. I looked up to him and I saw how his eyes were filled with rage and anger.

"My son would never do such a thing. You're not my son, you're a terrible friend that sabotage a friend's work and destroyed a school property!" he spatted and I just fixed myself before walking up to my room.

"You're lucky I haven't disowned you with that attitude of yours! Pasalamat ka na buhay ang nanay mo at pinoprotektahan ka kasi kung wala siya walang magtatanggol sayo." tuluyan na kong pumasok sa kwarto ko at inilapag sa sahig ang bag na dala kl at humiga sa kama ko.

I was definitely lost in thought because I didn't notice the tears slowly falling on my pillow. Those words had hit me hard and my father doesn't care about it. He was an insensitive asshole that only cares about being rich and his stupid money! I fucking hate him, I just wish I could leave this harsh reality or just spend the rest of my life in the arms of my beloved.

Elisha.

I look over at the picture I had framed. It was me and hers first picture together. God I miss her even though I just saw her earlier.

I was about to rest my eyes when I got message from her. My eyes immediately lit up the moment I saw her name on the notification.

From: Isha

are u okay? i hope u're okay, don't cry ha i'm here if u need me ace

I smiled, the only reason why I want to live is her. I'll live for her.

---

Present

Elisha's POV

Tumigil kami saglit sa pagbabasa, I wasn't expecting that. He was so in love with me during the time that I was currently getting fucked up sa relationship ng ex namin.

But that didn't matter at all, we all turned to Maddie and she was sweating beeds on her face. Agad lumapit si Christoph at sinampal siya.

"How the fuck did you have the courage to act okay when you know that he's in deep trouble noon? Tangina, why did you even let him own up your own shitty mistake Maddie?!" Christoph shouted and she bursted.

"Because my mother died because of your fucking mother dumbass! Aren't you reading the letter, he had already explained almost everything there." she said but we didn't accept nothing. "Look, I'm sorry it happened almost 2 years ago. I know it's shitty but he did that by choice-" hindi natapos ang sasabihin niya ng bigla siyang sinampal din ni Gwen.

"You selfish moron, pwede mo siyang pigilan noon at umamin kay Smith and yet you just went on with your daily routine in life? Wow Levine you are really someone." Gwen said at bigla naman nagpatong patong ang mga boses nila. Nakisali na rin si Bruce at Damon at wala na kong maintindihan ni isa that's why I shouted.

"PUTANGINA NAMAN!"

Yeah, in order for them to shut their bitchy mouths I have to fucking shout.

"Can you guys just shut up for a second? Can't we all just set aside our fucking differences? Can't we get along for once? Just this once for Jayce? You stupid shit heads don't have anything to do other than argue about the previous mistakes we've done? Go get a fucking life and move on. Focus on what's going on right now!" I said to knock in some sense in them they all went silent and became like innocent puppies.

"Right, that's what I thought. Now we're going to read the remaining paragraph of the letter and finish it. So that we can get over this Maddie sabotage shit." I told them and they all just agreed with me probably because natakot sila sa sinabi ko.

Dapat lang dahil sila ang hahambalusin ko kung hindi pa sila makikinig.

i guess you all finished the first letter, not really shocking right? maddie's so called crime was the most calmest one out of all. that's why she was first. anyways, since you've now known that i get constantly beat up every time we get detention or did something really stupid you guys should feel guilty especially you maddie. no worries, hindi niyo ito kailangan pag awayan dahil wala namang saysay pa at nangyari na ang lahat. pero alam kong marami pa kayong tanong at gustong malaman. kung sa pangalawang sulat pa lang ay hindi niyo na natiis paano pa kaya ang pangatlo? you'll find the letter at the house we partied so hard to the point we got jailed. buckle up your seats cause it might get really messy. the demon is up, you're up next damon.

"Oh shit." Damon said and we all looked at him. We have no clue whatsoever what he could've done. Pero kung nangbabae lang siya or he two times some girls we wouldn't be surprised. He is a player, a known womanizer in fact.

"Pre ano naman ang kagaguhang hindi namin alam?" tanong ni Bruce at nagkibit balikat naman si Damon.

"Honestly pre hindi ko alam, sa dami kong kasalanan na ginawa noon hindi ko maalala kung ano ang pinaka malala." he answered at binatukan naman si ni Christoph.

"Sooo, same time same place ang meet up?" I asked and they all nodded.

"I never thought that we'll spend time together again," Gwen said and we ignored her.

Who would've thought that his remaining letters were the ones that could put us back in the same room?